E 

663 

.F32 


I 


unclouded  skies,  and  tranquil  seas.  The  viru- 
lence of  infection  deranged  the  intellect  of  its 
victims,  and  convulsed  them  with  delirium.  In 
paroxysms  of  frenzy  they  assailed  their  ship- 
mates, and  strove  to  sink  the  vessel  itself,  and 
were  themselves  decimated  in  bloody  strife. 

Conciliation  and  kindness  failed  to  calm  their 
rage,  but  rather  intensified  their  furious  animosity. 
The  epidemic  assailed,  with  fatal  malignancy,  of- 
ficers of  the  highest  rank,  who  disseminated  con- 
tagion to  the  crew.  Contaminated  with  disease 
and  racked  with  dissension,  the  gallant  ship  toss- 
ed helplessly  on  the  seething  billows  of  popular 
commotion.  The  whirlpool  of  passion  yawned 
to  engulf  her  in  its  dark  abyss  ;  the  rocks  of 
discord  pierced  her  sides,  and  the  simoon  of  car- 
nage whirled  her  onward  toward  the  reefs  and 
quicksands  of  National  dissolution,  while  mer- 
cenary wreckers,  England  and  France,  gazed  with 
rapture  on  her  peril,  and  gloated  in  anticipation 
over  the  coveted  spoils  from  the  wreck  of  the 
stately  ship.  In  the  wake  of  the  infected  vessel 
followed  a  ravenous  shark,  to  prey  on  the  vic- 
tims and  batten  on  misfortune.  This  leviathan, 
named  Brittania,  spawned  the  Florida  and  Ala- 
bama, Twin  Monsters  of  the  deep. 

But  the  noble  Union  was  not  doomed  to  wreck. 
The  pure  winds  from  the  North  swept  over  her 


with  healing  power,  and  scattered  the  seeds  of 
death  as  with  a  besom.  Health  returned  to 
the  pallid  cheek,  and  vigor  to  the  wasted  frame. 
Loving  hearts  and  willing  hands  rescued  the  ves- 
sel from  her  perilous  surroundings,  and  guided 
her  safely  into  the  haven  of  Peace. 

On  this  consecrated  day  be  ours  the  duty  to 
purify,  repair,  and  refit  the  Ship  of  State,  and 
launch  anew  the  glorious  Union  for  a  more 
prosperous  voyage  on  the  broad  ocean  of  Time. 

"O,  then,  sail  on,  thou  Ship  of  State! 
Sail  on,  O,  Union,  strong  and  great ! 
Humanity  with  all  its  fears, 
With  all  the  hopes  of  future  years, 
Is  hanging  breathless  on  thy  fate  ! 
Fear  not  each  sudden  sound  and  shock  — 
'T  is  of  the  wave,  and  not  the  rock  ; 
'Tis  but  the  flapping  of  the  sail, 
And  not  a  rent  made  by  the  gale  ! 
In  spite  of  rock  and  tempest's  roar, 
In  spite  of  false  lights  on  the  shore, 
Sail  on !  nor  fear  to  breast  the  sea — 
Our  hearts,  our  hopes  are  all  with  thee  ! 
Our  hearts,  our  hopes,  our  prayers,  our  tears, 
Our  faith,  triumphant  o'er  our  fears, 
Are  all  with  thee  —  are  all  with  thee!" 

The  allegory  of  the  infected  ship  suggests  the 
theme  of  the  hour — the  Purification  and  Recon- 
struction of  the  American  Union. 


THE  PURIFICATION  AND   RECONSTRUCTION  OF 
THE  AMERICAN   UNION. 


AN 


O  RATI ON 


DELIVERED     AT 


VALLEJO,  JULY  IV,   1867. 


BY 


FRANKLIN    ELIOT    FELTON. 


i!ED    T5Y   R! 


668 


SAN     F  F^A  N  c  i  s  c  o  : 

WARD    BOSQUI    &    COMPANY,    BOOK    AND    JOB    PRINTERS, 
MDCCCLXVII. 


THE   PURIFICATION  AND   RECONSTRUCTION  OF  THE 
AMERICAN   UNION. 


AN 


O  RAT  I  ON 


DELIVERED     AT 


VALLEJO,    JULY    IV,    1867 


II  V 


FRANK  M  N     EL  I,  (XT     F  ELTON. 


PUBLISHED    BY    REQUEST. 


SAN     F  F^_A  N  c  i  s  c  o  : 

EDWARD    BOSQUI    &:    COMPANY,    BOOK    AND    JOB    PRINTERS. 
MDCCCLXVII. 


Bancroft  Library 


ORATION. 


ON  the  placid  bosom  of  San  Francisco  Bay 
gently  rocks  at  anchor  a  plague-stricken  ship, 
whose  cabin  and  decks  have  lately  witnessed 
scenes  of  anguish,  tribulation,  and  death,  that  ap- 
pall the  stoutest  heart,  and  blanch  the  manliest 
cheek.  As  the  frigate  Jamestown,  on  her  mis- 
sion of  mercy,  reposed  on  the  sunny  waters  of 
Panama,  Grim  Pestilence  invaded  her  dark  hull, 
and,  without  authority  of  a  commission,  assumed 
supreme  command,  issuing  imperious  orders  with 
more  than  martial  rigor. 

Descending  to  the  orlop  deck  he  grappled 
bluff  sailors  and  marines,  and  straightway  the 
shriek  of  agony,  the  ravings  of  delirium  and 
the  rattle  of  death  resounded  through  the  fated 
vessel.  Stalwart  men,  impotent  to  cope  with 
their  merciless  adversary,  succumbed  beneath  his 
ponderous  strokes,  and  were  reverently  borne  by 
sorrowing  comrades  to  lonely  graves  by  the  shore 
of  the  resonant  sea.  Gloating  on  the  havoc  and 


craving  more  illustrious  victims,  the  flushed  con- 
queror, turning  from  the  humble  deck,  strode 
through  the  cabin  door  and  knocked  with  icy 
hand  at  the  state-room  of  the  scarred  veteran 
and  the  rosy-cheeked  ensign. 

Though  environed  by  peril  and  menaced  with 
destruction,  the  gallant  officers  and  crew  neither 
shrank  from  duty  nor  deserted  their  posts.  Star- 
ing fate  in  the  face,  they  soothed  their  afflicted 
shipmates,  and  awaited  with  fortitude  their  im- 
pending doom. 

Ordered  to  duty  on  the  infected  vessel,  officers 
hastened  aboard  without  falter,  although  conscious 
of  entering  their  living  sepulcher.  With  pious 
tenderness  comrades  closed  the  eyelids  of  the  dy- 
ing, and  performed  the  last  sad  rites  over  loved 
companions. 

At  last  the  welcome  order  sounded  to  remove 
the  charnel-ship  to  some  salubrious  clime,  and 
the  emaciated  crew,  summoning  their  wasted 
strength,  and  with  eager  alacrity  manned  the 
capstan  and  weighed  anchor,  joyous  to  escape 
from  the  loathsome  bay  and  its  attendant  gloom. 
Long,  weary  days  the  ship,  becalmed,  lay  motion- 
less on  the  waters ;  the  sails  flapped  listlessly 
around  the  masts,  yet  the  Angel  of  Death  re- 
morselessly claimed  his  victims. 

At  length  propitious  breezes  wafted  the  vessel 


to  the  colder  North,  whose  salutary  blasts  stif- 
fened the  limbs  and  congealed  the  blood  of  the 
Tropical  Fiend.  During  the  mournful  voyage  a 
voracious  shark  followed  the  wake  of  the  pesti- 
lent vessel  until  the  last  sufferer  was  consigned 
to  the  cavernous  sea,  and  the  monster  was  de- 
prived of  his  prey. 

As  the  straining  eye  of  the  lookout  discerned 
the  distant  land,  an  ecstatic  shout  of  relief  burst 
forth  spontaneously  from  every  throat.  Spare 
sails  were  spread  on  mast  and  yard ;  raven-like 
the  frigate  skimmed  through  the  Golden  Gate 
and  anchored  in  the  hospitable  bay,  where  health, 
sympathy,  and  repose,  greeted  the  hapless  wan- 
derers. 

Purified  and  repaired,  the  same  frigate  shall 
hereafter  sail  to  foreign  lands,  and  proudly  bear 
the  starry  flag  to  earth's  remotest  bounds,  but 
the  ravages  of  the  pestilence  will  never  be  ef- 
faced. Loving  hearts  shall  wither  beneath  its 
corroding  blight,  and  happy  homesteads  mourn 
the  devastating  scourge. 

The  recent  history  of  the  United  States  dis- 
closes a  marked  similitude  between  the  ill-fated 
Jamestown  and  the  American  Nation. 

Six  years  ago  that  staunch  Ship  of  State,  the 
Union,  was  stricken  with  pestilence  during  a 
prosperous  voyage,  favored  with  propitious  winds, 


unclouded  skies,  and  tranquil  seas.  The  viru- 
lence of  infection  deranged  the  intellect  of  its 
victims,  and  convulsed  them  with  delirium.  In 
paroxysms  of  frenzy  they  assailed  their  ship- 
mates, and  strove  to  sink  the  vessel  itself,  and 
were  themselves  decimated  in  bloody  strife. 

Conciliation  and  kindness  failed  to  calm  their 
rage,  but  rather  intensified  their  furious  animosity. 
The  epidemic  assailed,  with  fatal  malignancy,  of- 
ficers of  the  highest  rank,  who  disseminated  con- 
tagion to  the  crew.  Contaminated  with  disease 
and  racked  with  dissension,  the  gallant  ship  toss- 
ed helplessly  on  the  seething  billows  of  popular 
commotion.  The  whirlpool  of  passion  yawned 
to  engulf  her  in  its  dark  abyss  ;  the  rocks  of 
discord  pierced  her  sides,  and  the  simoon  of  car- 
nage whirled  her  onward  toward  the  reefs  and 
quicksands  of  National  dissolution,  while  mer- 
cenary wreckers,  England  and  France,  gazed  with 
rapture  on  her  peril,  and  gloated  in  anticipation 
over  the  coveted  spoils  from  the  wreck  of  the 
stately  ship.  In  the  wake  of  the  infected  vessel 
followed  a  ravenous  shark,  to  prey  on  the  vic- 
tims and  batten  on  misfortune.  This  leviathan, 
named  Brittania,  spawned  the  Florida  and  Ala- 
bama, Twin  Monsters  of  the  deep. 

But  the  noble  Union  was  not  doomed  to  wreck. 
The  pure  winds  from  the  North  swept  over  her 


with  healing  power,  and  scattered  the  seeds  of 
death  as  with  a  besom.  Health  returned  to 
the  pallid  cheek,  and  vigor  to  the  wasted  frame. 
Loving  hearts  and  willing  hands  rescued  the  ves- 
sel from  her  perilous  surroundings,  and  guided 
her  safely  into  the  haven  of  Peace. 

On  this  consecrated  day  be  ours  the  duty  to 
purify,  repair,  and  refit  the  Ship  of  State,  and 
launch  anew  the  glorious  Union  for  a  more 
prosperous  voyage  on  the  broad  ocean  of  Time. 

"O,  then,  sail  on,  thou  Ship  of  State! 
Sail  on,  O,  Union,  strong  and  great ! 
Humanity  with  all  its  fears, 
With  all  the  hopes  of  future  years, 
Is  hanging  breathless  on  thy  fate  ! 
Fear  not  each  sudden  sound  and  shock  — 
'T  is  of  the  wave,  and  not  the  rock  ; 
Tis  but  the  flapping  of  the  sail, 
And  not  a  rent  made  by  the  gale  ! 
In  spite  of  rock  and  tempest's  roar, 
In  spite  of  false  lights  on  the  shore, 
Sail  on !  nor  fear  to  breast  the  sea — 
Our  hearts,  our  hopes  are  all  with  thee  ! 
Our  hearts,  our  hopes,  our  prayers,  our  tears, 
Our  faith,  triumphant  o'er  our  fears, 
Are  all  with  thee — are  all  with  thee!" 

The  allegory  of  the  infected  ship  suggests  the 
theme  of  the  hour — the  Purification  and  Recon- 
struction of  the  American  Union. 


In  the  task  of  National  Reconstruction,  the 
American  people  must  be  actuated  by  a  spirit  of 
magnanimity  and  mercy  toward  their  late  antag- 
onists. The  fervent  benevolence  of  California  is 
never  invoked  in  vain  in  the  sacred  cause  of  mercy 
and  humanity.  Vividly  do  I  recall  the  thrill  of 
delight  that  electrified  the  loyal  States  at  the  lav- 
ish bounty  of  California  to  the  Sanitary  Commis- 
sion during  the  dark  days  of  war.  Her  timely 
benefaction  infused  vitality  into  a  holy  enterprise, 
which  was  then  languishing  and  ready  to  perish. 
Her  lofty  spirit  of  patriotic  beneficence  spread 
from  the  Pacific  to  the  Atlantic,  and  kindled  the 
glow  of  charity  in  the  hearts  of  the  Northern 
people.  Emulating  California's  bright  example, 
State  vied  with  State  in  largess  to  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers.  Eminent  men  forsook  their 
avocations,  and  devoted  themselves  to  the  relief 
of  suffering  humanity,  binding  up  the  wounds 
and  assuaging  the  pangs  alike  of  friend  and  foe. 
Gentle  women,  foregoing  the  luxuries  of  home 
and  the  blandishments  of  refined  society,  followed 
the  army  to  the  sanguinary  fields  of  battle,  and 
with  delicate  hands  performed  kindly  offices  for 
the  mutilated  heroes,  or  in  tender  accents  whis- 
pered words  of  consolation  in  the  ear  of  the 
dying. 

The  youth  of  the  country  shared  the  patriotic 


enthusiasm.  Deft  fingers  of  girlhood  wrought 
articles  of  necessity  or  comfort  for  their  brave 
defenders  ;  and  ingenuous  boys,  renouncing  their 
customary  sports  and  amusements,  cheerfully  do- 
nated their  mite  to  deeds  of  Heaven-born  charity. 

History  presents  no  nobler  spectacle  than  the 
catholic  beneficence,  the  lavish  generosity,  and  the 
magnanimous  clemency  of  the  American  people 
in  mitigating  the  horrors  of  civil  war,  and  as  a 
Californian  I  am  justly  proud  that  my  adopted 
State  vitalized  and  expanded  the  grandest  philan- 
thropy of  the  Ages. 

The  same  pure  spirit  of  mercy  has  lately  been 
evoked  by  the  piteous  appeals  of  our  late  antag- 
onists, and  the  golden  affluence  of  California 
benevolence  has  clothed  the  naked,  fed  the  hun- 
gry, and  nursed  the  sick  in  the  devastated  South. 

The  merciful  spirit  of  California  craves  not  the 
confiscated  property  of  misguided  brothers,  nor 
seeks  to  immure  deluded  relatives  in  gloomy  dun- 
geons, or  immolate  them  on  the  scaffold,  but,  like 
the  Divine  Master,  it  raises  them  up  that  are  cast 
down,  and  says  to  the  erring:  "Thy  sins  are 
forgiven  thee ;  go  and  sin  no  more." 

Forgiveness  and  conciliation  will  restore  har- 
mony to  our  lacerated  country,  and  draw  the  vail 
of  oblivion  over  ancient  feuds  and  fierce  conten- 
tion. More  precious  than  remittances  of  gold  for 


10 


the  needy  and  afflicted  would  be  the  infusion  of 
the  true  California  spirit  into  wrangling  States,  to 
heal  suicidal  wounds,  and  restore  vitality  and 
vigor  to  the  shattered  Union. 

The  Roman  conquerors  were  wont  to  chain 
their  captives  to  their  chariot  wheels  and  drag 
them  in  triumph  through  the  streets  of  the  Im- 
perial City,  and  afterwards  treat  them  as  slaves 
and  menials.  Civilization  and  Christianity  recoil 
from  such  brutality,  and  the  Law  of  Nations, 
based  on  the  refined  sentiment  of  the  Age,  requires 
the  conqueror  to  treat  his  captives  with  courtesy, 
respect,  and  humanity.  All  Christendom  was 
shocked  at  the  bestial  spirit  that  starved  American 
citizens  in  Southern  prisons  during  the  Civil  War, 
and  civilized  nations  throughout  the  world  are 
now  tingling  with  odium  against  the  barbarous 
Mexicans,  who,  in  cold  blood,  shot  a  prisoner  of 
war — Maximilian — who,  although  an  invader  and 
usurper,  was  nevertheless  a  gallant  gentleman  and 
the  victim  of  base  treachery. 

The  conquest  of  our  brothers  should  be  cele- 
brated by  displays  of  fraternal  affection,  remis- 
sion of  sins,  and  magnanimous  clemency.  We 
cannot  drag  our  own  kindred  in  triumphal  pro- 
cession along  crowded  thoroughfares,  chained  as 
captives  to  the  conqueror's  car ;  we  cannot  send 
them  under  the  humiliating  yoke,  nor  degrade 


11 


them  to  the  condition  of  slaves  and  menials  ;  but 
to  win  their  hearts  by  generosity  and  forbearance 
will  redound  to  our  glory  more  than  the  laurels 
of  Caesar  or  the  victories  of  Alexander. 

In  reconstructing  the  Union  sectional  animosity 
must  be  eradicated,  root  and  branch,  and  mutual 
respect  and  good-fellowship  be  universally  culti- 
vated by  the  denizens  of  the  different  sections  of 
our  common  country. 

In  by-gone  times,  sectional  antagonism  dis- 
severed the  country  North  and  South,  and  local 
jealousies,  and  acrimonious  feuds,  culminated  in 
mutual  aversion  and  estrangement,  germinating 
Civil  War.  Northmen  lampooned  the  men  of  the 
South  as  a  spurious  chivalry,  contemned  their  im- 
pulsiveness of  action  and  impassioned  speech  as 
bluster  and  gasconade,  and  sneered  at  their  valor 
as  bravado.  The  Southrons  retorted  by  stigma- 
tizing the  Northmen  as  craven  Yankees  ;  sordid 
worshipers  of  the  almighty  dollar,  with  no  aspi- 
rations beyond  mere  trade  and  lucre  ;  devoid  of 
lofty  sentiments  of  honor  ;  cringing  sycophants, 
incapable  of  resenting  an  affront,  or  defending 
their  rights. 

Mutual  crimination  and  recrimination  ensued, 
and  each  party  was  deceived  by  a  false  estimate  of 
the  other's  character.  This  fatal  misconception 
has  been  washed  out  in  brothers'  blood,  and 


12 


history  now  records  that  high  daring,  patriotic  en- 
durance, and  true  manhood,  are  universal,  and  not 
sectional  among  Americans,  and  that  the  combined 
valor  of  the  united  country  renders  the  American 
Republic  invincible. 

When  we  are  in  our  graves,  and  the  passions 
and  prejudices  of  the  present  shall  have  perished, 
the  impartial  historian  will  delineate  the  American 
conflict. 

In  graphic  phrase  will  he  portray  that  illus- 
trious commander,  Grant,  and  exhibit  to  the  world 
that  comprehensive  sagacity  which  formed  com- 
binations ramifying  over  a  Continent,  and  yet  so 
minute  as  to  grasp  scattered  squads  of  the  ene- 
my in  its  constricting  folds.  He  will  dilate  on 
Grant's  tenacity  of  will,  his  earnestness  and  pu- 
rity of  purpose,  and  his  inflexible  determination 
to  conquer,  which  spurned  intervening  obstacles, 
laughed  at  defeat,  and  eventuated  in  ultimate  tri- 
umph. 

He  will  eulogise  that  self-reliance  which  con- 
ceived and  perfected  the  plans  of  vigorous  cam- 
paigns, and  the  reticence  which  locked  them  up  in 
his  own  bosom,  and  kept  his  own  counsel,  until 
they  ripened  into  action. 

He  will  extol  the  modesty  of  the  hero  who 
listened  with  serene  composure  to  the  shouts  of 
victory,  and  the  plaudits  of  admiring  multitudes. 


IB 


The  same  historian  will  likewise  describe  Grant's 
antagonist.  General  Lee. 

He  will  enumerate  the  high  qualities  Lee  dis- 
played as  a  Commander  :  his  wonderful  resources 
in  waging  protracted  warfare  with  limited  men 
and  scanty  means  ;  his  marvelous  skill  exhibited 
in  the  impregnable  fortifications  surrounding 
Richmond  ;  the  daring  spirit  which  led  him  to 
cross  the  Potomac,  invade  Pennsylvania,  and  con- 
front the  Union  army  at  Gettysburg,  and  the 
consummate  ability  with  which  he  withdrew 
his  shattered  forces,  with  a  victorious  army  in 
his  rear. 

He  will  picture  Lee's  incursion  into  Maryland, 
and  his  march  on  Washington,  and  relate  that  the 
opportune  arrival  of  an  Army  Corps  from  the 
Peninsula  alone  saved  the  Federal  Capital  from 
capture  by  the  Confederate  forces. 

He  will  depict  Lee's  surrender  and  calm  sub- 
mission to  fate,  his  retirement  to  literary  pursuits, 
and  his  wise  counsel  to  his  comrades  to  return  to 
their  allegiance. 

The  historian  will  describe  Sherman's  Grand 
March  to  the  sea,  and  Farragut's  naval  exploits, 
eclipsing  in  splendor  the  triumphs  of  Collingwood 
and  Nelson. 

In  gorgeous  colors  he  will  portray  gallant  Phil. 
Sheridan  spurring  on  his  foaming  charger  to 


14 


Winchester;  rallying  his  discomfited  men  ;  im- 
petuously charging  at  their  head,  and  whirling  the 
routed  enemy  down  the  Shenandoah  Valley. 

Yet  the  self-same  pen  will  delineate  Stonewall 
Jackson — the  religious  fanatic — who  prayed  earn- 
estly, and  fought  vehemently  against  his  country. 

The  historian  will  comment  on  that  celerity  of 
movement  which  gained  for  Jackson's  infantry 
the  appellation  of  Foot  Cavalry,  and  relate  how 
suddenly  he  swooped  down  on  the  right  wing  of 
the  Federal  Army,  then  on  the  left,  next  on 
the  center,  and  afterwards  assailed  some  isolated 
corps.  He  will  dilate  on  Jackson's  fiery  zeal ;  his 
purity  of  life ;  his  fanatical  devotion  to  human 
servitude ;  his  magnetic  influence  over  his  sol- 
diers ;  his  restless  energy,  and  his  profound  con- 
viction of  the  righteousness  of  his  unholy  cause, 
all  of  which  traits  combined  to  render  him  a 
Thunderbolt  of  War. 

These  men  of  the  South,  though  perverse,  were 
still  our  Countrymen,  and  we  should  dispassion- 
ately anticipate  the  judgment  of  posterity,  and 
claim  for  the  American  people  the  brilliant  gener- 
alship, the  skillful  strategy,  the  impetuous  valor, 
the  endurance  of  suffering,  and  the  tenacious  will, 
displayed  alike  by  Northmen  and  Southrons  in 
their  unnatural  conflict.  The  prowess  of  both 
armies,  dispelled  the  illusion  that  Southrons  are 


.15 


braggarts,  or  that  Northmen  lack  courage.  The 
ordeal  of  battle  impressed  the  belligerents  with 
mutual  respect  for  their  antagonists,  and  if  the 
same  sentiment  were  universally  disseminated 
among  the  people,  sectional  discord  would  never 
again  rear  its  horrid  front  and  germinate  Civil 
War. 

The  Ship  of  State  is  unfortunately  polluted  by 
a  political  Jonah,  called  the  Demagogue,  and 
happy  were  it  for  the  Country,  if,  like  his  proto- 
type, he  were  cast  into  the  sea.  So  long  as  this 
pest  be  tolerated  by  the  people,  the  purification  of 
the  body  politic  will  be  incomplete,  g^-.  r"^v 

The  malign  influence  of  the  Demagogue  Has 
already  fixed  a  stigma  on  Republican  institutions, 
and  raised  a  doubt  whether  the  Government  of  the 
people  for  the  people  and  by  the  people  is  not  a 
delusion  and  a  sham.  Political  machination  and 
artifice  have  installed  corrupt  and  incompetent 
men  in  office,  caused  the  enactment  of  unjust  laws, 
and  waste  of  public  money. 

^  The  roll  of  our  Presidents  is  searched  in  vain 
for  the  name  of  Webster  or  Clay,  of  Douglas  or 
Preston,  of  Choate  or  Everett,  those  intellectual 
giants,  whose  eloquence,  patriotism,  and  states- 
manship, are  the  rich  heritage  of  the  country. 

In  place  of  our  foremost  men  appear  the  names 
of  accidental  heroes  and  political  schemers. 


16 


Senatorial  dignity  has  even  descended  to  the 
illiterate  adventurer,  the  brazen  trickster,  and  the 
pliant  tool  of  faction.  In  the  Representative 
Hall,  at  Washington,  we  blush  to  see  the  gradu- 
ates of  the  bar-room,  the  faro-bank,  and  the  prize- 
ring. 

Men  of  bad  repute,  sullied  character,  and  feeble 
intellect,  are  inaugurated  Governors  ;  State  Legis- 
lators reek  with  venality,  ignorance,  and  dishonor; 
municipal  governments  are  controlled  by  adroit 
sharpers,  who  form  cc  rings "  to  plunder  the  ex- 
chequer, and  burden  the  community  with  onerous 
taxes. 

Primary  elections,  which,  in  fact,  determine  the 
candidates  for  public  offices,  are  manipulated  by 
crafty  aspirants,  aided  by  the  dregs  of  society,  who 
perform  their  nefarious  bidding,  and^  overawe  or 
outvote  men  of  culture,  probity,  and  merit. 

Even  the  judicial  ermine  is  draggled  through 
the  foul  pool  of  politics,  and  briefless  barristers  are 
elevated  to  the  judicial  bench,  and  debase  justice 
and  law  by  crude  decisions,  indecorous  deport- 
ment, and  vulgar  habits. 

Candidates,  nominated  by  chicanery,  flatter  and 
cajole  the  people,  and  piteously  whine  for  their 
votes.  Pending  the  election,  they  become  all 
things  to  all  men,  profess  the  noblest  patriotism 
and  purest  motives,  and  prate  loudly  of  their 


17 


loyalty,  although  during  the  war  they  neither 
shouldered  a  musket  nor  contributed  a  farthing 
to  the  wounded  soldiers. 

These  sycophants  and  parasites  pretend  affec- 
tion for  the  black  man,  whom,  forsooth,  they 
would  elevate  and  enfranchise,  yet  in  the  self- 
same breath  they  vilify  and  persecute  the  saffron- 
hued  Chinaman,  and,  not  content  to  disfranchise 
the  Mongolian,  they  urge  his  expulsion  from  the 
country,  and  the  erection  of  a  Chinese  wall  to 
exclude  the  Asiatic  race  from  our  limits. 

The  ascendancy  of  demagogues  in  public  affairs 
saps  the  vitality  of  Republican  Government,  and 
the  perpetuity  of  the  Union  is  menaced  when  bad 
men  are  deputed  to  execute  the  laws  which  bad 
men  enact. 

In  the  present  crisis  it  becomes  the  sacred  and 
imperative  duty  of  every  good  citizen  to  extirpate 
this  growing  evil,  and  hence  every  American 
should  actively  participate  in  the  nomination  and 
election  of  the  best  men  to  offices  of  trust  and 
honor.  When  unfit  candidates  are  nominated, 
each  voter  should  have  sufficient  independence  and 
manliness  to  oppose  their  election,  disregarding 
party  ties  and  selfish  considerations,  and  mindful 
only  of  the  general  welfare. 

Intriguing  politicians  and  corrupt  partisans 
should  be  spurned  as  unclean  lepers,  and  the 


18 

rough  element  of  the  community  should  no  longer 
be  suffered  to  dictate  our  rulers. 

Then  would  return  the  pristine  days  of  the 
Republic,  when  eloquence,  dignity,  and  learning 
graced  the  Senate  House — when  men  like  the 
classic  Everett  were  Governors  of  States,  and 
Marshall  and  Story  adorned  the  judicial  bench. 

God  grant  that  the  reign  of  small  men  and  cor- 
rupt influences  may  speedily  terminate  throughout 
the  land. 

With  the  Union,  purified  of  internal  dissension 
and  political  corruption,  and  re-established  on  the 
basis  of  Liberty,  Equality,  and  Fraternity,  the 
imagination  struggles  in  vain  to  picture  the  glo- 
rious destiny  that  awaits  the  American  Republic. 
War's  desolation  in  the  South  shall  be  effaced  by 
the  bountiful  yield  of  her  staple  products,  aug- 
mented by  the  employment  of  free  labor  and  the 
application  of  mechanical  ingenuity  to  improved 
modes  of  culture.  Telegraphs  and  Railroads,  po- 
tent Colonizers,  Missionaries,  and  Peace-makers, 
shall  traverse  the  vast  expanse  of  virgin  territory, 
and  link  together,  in  perpetual  amity  and  commu- 
nity of  interests,  widely-separated  States.  The 
mineral  treasures  of  the  mountains  will  attract 
hither  foreign  capital,  give  employment  to  count- 
less multitudes,  and  supply  the  world  with  pre- 
cious metals.  Fertile  valleys  will  teem  with 


19 


abundant  harvests,  luxuriant  plains  and  rolling 
prairies  shall  pasture  innumerable  herds  of  cattle; 
cities,  towns,  and  villages  shall  spring  into  exist- 
ence, as  if  summoned  by  Prospero's  wand;  Amer- 
ican commerce  shall  whiten  every  sea  and  visit 
every  port ;  Oriental  seclusion  shall  be  dissolved, 
and  the  teeming  population  of  China  and  Japan 
shall  cultivate  friendly  relations  with  their  neigh- 
bors, and  pour  into  our  coffers  the  lucrative 
profits  of  trade  and  traffic. 

Aerial  Navigation  may  introduce  speedier  modes 
of  intercommunication  than  railroads  and  steam- 
ships, and  winged  Avitors — realizing  the  fable  of 
Icarus  and  Daedalus — may  soar  through  the 
realms  of  air,  bearing  precious  freights  of  life 
and  treasure  to  every  quarter  of  the  habitable 
Globe. 

Inventive  Genius  shall  find  ample  scope  for  its 
enterprise,  and  magnificent  rewards  for  its  merits. 
Education  shall  be  diffused  through  the  masses  as 
universally  as  light  and  air. 

Music  and  Painting,  Sculpture  and  Architec- 
ture shall  be  encouraged  by  the  refined  taste  and 
generous  patronage  of  the  people.  Native  genius 
shall  establish  a  National  literature,  and  Ameri- 
can Poets  and  Orators,  Historians  and  Novelists, 
shall  be  honored  wherever  the  English  language 
is  spoken. 


The  National  boundaries  shall  expand,  and 
bleak  Canada  on  the  North,  and  convulsive  Mex- 
ico on  the  South,  shall  knock  for  admission  into 
the  happy  household.  Cuba  and  Panama,  Nica- 
ragua and  the  Sandwich  Islands  shall  be  absorbed 
in  our  progressive  empire,  and  myriad  emigrants, 
escaping  from  the  thraldom  of  tyranny  and  the 
shackles  of  poverty  in  the  old  world,  shall  find 
asylum,  affluence,  and  security  in  this  land  of 
promise. 

The  Continental  Republic  will  diffuse  a  benign 
influence  on  mankind,  and  vindicate  the  superi- 
ority of  Democratic  Government.  Oppressed 
Nationalities  shall  be  impelled  by  its  beneficent 
example  to  rise  in  their  Majesty,  discard  the  yoke 
of  Despotism  and  Servitude,  prostrate  Thrones 
and  Dynasties,  abolish  Aristocratic  Distinctions, 
introduce  the  Ballot  and  Popular  Education,  and 
acknowledge  allegiance  to  the  Will  of  the  People 
and  God  alone.  The  fruition  of  these  Beatitudes, 
and  countless  other  Blessings,  shall  crown  the 
American  Republic  if  American  citizens  be  true 
to  themselves,  improve  their  opportunities  and  ad- 
vantages, and  cherish  a  fervid  spirit  of  Nationality. 

Men  of  California : — Your  lines  have  fallen  in 
pleasant  places.  You  possess  a  territory  many- 
fold  larger  than  Greece  or  Rome;  nor  were  these 
mighty  Empires  endowed  with  a  tithe  of  your 


21 


material  greatness  or  resources.  The  genial  cli- 
mate of  this  favored  land  invigorates  the  body, 
stimulates  the  intellect,  and  develops  the  human 
system.  The  fruits  of  the  Tropics,  and  the  prod- 
ucts of  the  Temperate  Zone  commingle  in  your 
soil ;  the  mountains  abound  in  gold  and  silver, 
copper  and  cinnabar,  coal,  and  other  minerals. 
Capacious  Harbors  allure  Trade  and  Commerce 
to  your  shores;  majestic  rivers  irrigate  the  broad 
expanse,  and  bear  on  their  heaving  bosoms  the 
yield  of  the  uplands  to  the  sea ;  primeval  forests 
are  studded  with  umbrageous  trees  that  tower  to 
an  altitude  bewildering  to  the  senses,  and  dwarf  to 
merest  twigs  the  tallest  oak  or  pine  of  other  lands; 
the  crests  of  the  Sierras  are  crowned  with  chaplets 
of  snow,  yet  at  their  base  and  on  their  sides  luxu- 
riant vegetation  flourishes,  and  wild  flowers  exhale 
a  sweet  perfume;  the  picturesque  scenery  of  the 
Yosemite  surpasses  in  sublimity  the  mighty  Alps ; 
mineral  springs,  bubbling  up  from  the  earth,  fur- 
nish from  nature's  laboratory  medicated  draughts 
for  human  ills ;  the  air  is  vocal  with  feathered 
songsters;  the  streams  teem  with  choicest  fish; 
the  woods  abound  with  noble  game ;  prolific  vine- 
yards are  prodigal  of  generous  wine  to  please  the 
taste  and  warm  the  heart ;  throughout  the  year 
herds  of  cattle  and  sheep  browse  on  rich  herbage, 
and  supply  food  and  raiment ;  your  citizens  are 


99 


cosmopolitan  in  tone,  taste,  and  habits ;  exempt 
from  local  prejudice  and  angularities  of  character, 
full  of  enterprise,  and  profuse  of  hospitality.  The 
magnetic  glitter  of  gold  has  attracted  to  the  State 
large-minded  men  from  every  section  of  the  Union ; 
from  England  and  France;  from  Ireland  and  Ger- 
many; from  Scotland  and  Italy;  from  Switzerland 
and  Spain;  while  the  Orient  contributes  the  Asi- 
atic Race,  as  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water, 
for  the  convenience,  comfort,  and  prosperity  of 
the  inhabitants.  Inasmuch  as  unto  you,  Califor- 
nians,  much  has  been  given,  from  you  much  shall 
be  required. 

In  peril  and  disaster  a  distracted  Country  ap- 
pealed to  you  for  succor,  and  nobly  you  responded 
with  your  men  and  treasure.  Again  she  invokes 
your  filial  affection  to  bind  up  her  gaping  wounds, 
and  invigorate  her  shattered  energies — nor  shall 
she  appeal  to  you  in  vain. 

With  Vital  Nationality  animating  the  Golden- 
Hued  Daughter  of  the  Pacific,  and  diffusing  a 
Spirit  of  Unity,  Peace,  and  Concord  among  her 
Elder  Sisters  of  the  Atlantic,  the  American  Re- 
public, in  the  luminous  Future,  shall  become  the 
Focal  Center  of  Liberty,  Enlightenment,  and 
Empire. 


